Osteopathy for Osteopaths

Sunday, February 18, 2018

When is The Trendelenburg test useful?The Trendelenburg test is a test to show the efficiency of the hip abductors, specifically gluteus medius.

Anything making gluteus medius work extra hard, compromises its function and results in a positive Trendelenburg. For example, CDH, osteoarthritis, hip fracture. For this reason the Trendelenburg test is not differential. It will not tell you what condition is causing the test to be positive, however, when negative, it can be useful as it helps the practitioner know there is no fracture for example.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

By virtue of a modified hinge and an accessory rolling joint, the elbow is capable of almost all movements of a ball & socket joint, only with more stability. Why do you think the elbow needs so much stability?

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The normal trabecular structure of the bone of the femur ensures the best transmission of forces through the joint. Osteoarthritis can alter the trabecular structure and increase propensity for fracture.http://www.palmm.org

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

In adhesive-capsulitis (frozen shoulder) as the gleno-huneral joint loses its range of movement the accessory joints, including the sterno-claviclular joint compensate. Examination must include active and passive examination of the joint.For more on-line videos on how to treat the shoulder:http://www.palmm.org/copy-of-palmm-manual-medicine-studi

Monday, November 27, 2017

Answers to questions on the cervico-thoracic junction:

1) What is the nerve root that exits the cervico-thoracic junction? Answer: C8
2) What are the parameters where paresthesia is felt when the nerve-root that exits the cervico-thoracic junction is aggravated? All the skin on little finger and slightly past the wrist into the forearm.

3) Which movement is most affected by compression of the cervico-thoracic nerve root? Shaking hands as gripping is the movement most affected due to the loss of power to the small muscles of the hand.

4) Which of the following tissues attach to the C7 vertebra? All except Levator Scapulae

Thursday, January 26, 2017

After qualifying as an osteopath, my
inexperience and idealism led me to believe that osteopathy was the cure for
all ills, everything from back-pain to eczema to bed-wetting.

I felt reasonably confident with
orthopaedic conditions but less so with the other stuff. However, I still
accepted into my clinic most of what came my way. A part of me felt that to be
an osteopath, I had to treat all the conditions that fall under the osteopathic
umbrella, anything else would disqualify me. Also, I had unconsciously imbibed
the belief that osteopathy is the solution to most medical problems. It was a
belief that I had not checked, but had come to believe.

With time I felt disingenuous and worried
that it was affecting my reputation. It was even harder to admit defeat once
the treatment had started and instead I would carry on treating indefinitely
till it petered out.

I am sure that some osteopaths treat eczema
and bed-wetting successfully but my omnipotent, hubristic attitude led me to
think I was one of them simply by qualifying from an osteopathic college.

The affect of my osteopathic hubris may have been an initial increase in my
patient list but ultimately it reflected badly.

Nowadays I am more honest with myself and
my patients. I am careful on the phone to discuss the condition. I
ask if others have treated them, and how chronic the problemis. If they have been to see
other practitioners without relief I put the question to them why they think
another manual therapy may help. I discuss a mutually satisfactory approach
that meets realistic expectations. From the start I try to setboundaries.

One could argue that it is experience that
has helped me to evaluate what I do as an osteopath in more realistic terms.
Perhaps it is not possible for educational institutions to teach these skills.
However, to self-question and be critical is something the profession must
encourage. Helping students and new graduates realize the limitations of
osteopathy doesn’t weaken the profession, it strengthens it and it will
ultimately help graduates enhance their professional identity and sense of achievement.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Why do I get anxious before I see a new patient? If my patient list includes new patients I get more anxious than other days. I arrive at the clinic early, open up my computer and settle down awaiting the appearance of the first patient. New encounters are loaded with a degree of anxiety and I assume patients experience similar feelings especially when in pain.

Therefore, it is important for the osteopath to keep unnecessary anxiety, such as unexpected events or surprises, to a minimum. Anxiety is reduced however, in a safe, therapeutic environment or put another way, when clear boundaries are set.

"Clear boundaries" is a term often used in the adult-child relationship where they are considered important for the child's development. Boundaries help the child know that the parent won't let behavior get out of hand, making the child feel safe, even if they frustrate and inhibit.

Boundaries in the osteopathic/therapeutic sense can be considered factors which define clearly the consultation as... a consultation.

The 3 most important boundaries are:

1) Space. The space is defined as the room in which the consultation takes place. At the risk of stating the obvious, it's a room, not a corridor, not a field nor a person's home. In the patient's mind (and in the osteopath's mind too), it is a room which is dedicated to the osteopathic treatment. Anything inappropriate that permeates the "therapeutic membrane" increases anxiety. Examples might be people walking into the room without proper warning (receptionists, other practitioners, or students), or telephones ringing etc.

2) Time. It should should be made clear before the consultation the start and finish time of the session and how long the session will last. Changes in scheduling can increase a patient's anxiety. Even when the reason for rescheduling may be benign. Regular schedule changes made by the osteopath may elicit the patient's fantasies (other patient's are more important and take preference). Running late for a session also arouses feelings such as anger or jealousy. Similarly, giving patients more time than agreed. This is also considered breaking a boundary as it may arouse feelings of favoritism.

Which brings me on to my 3rd boundary.

3) Role. The role of an osteopath has many sides to it. We are medical practitioners but we are given permission to touch. Patients offer emotional information about themselves but we are not strictly speaking "talking-therapists". With some patients we may become friendly but they pay us for our services. It is a constant struggle to stay in role. Sometimes we may find ourselves being pulled out of role. In one of the sessions in the series "What is the patient really telling me?" (The Osteopath, Nov 2006, Page 24), an osteopath told the group that she occasionally shopped for one of her elderly patients. This became increasingly tiring for the osteopath. The group was able to help the osteopath recognize that her behaviour related to the osteopath's feelings of guilt for not helping her own elderly parents who lived far away. The example reflects the way an osteopath can get pulled out of role.

One of the most fascinating aspects of keeping boundaries is the positive therapeutic affect on the patient. As a parent, as well as taking care of the child's physical needs, maintaining safe boundaries for the child is 90% of the work. Similarly I believe is true of the osteopathic consultation. As osteopaths we need to attend to the patient's medical needs, but maintaining clear boundaries will affect to what extent the patient will internalize the osteopathic therapy.

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Bio

Danny Sher BSc (Hons) Ost.
Since Danny qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1996 he has worked treating adults and infants in the public, private and volountary sectors.
After emigrating to Israel in 2000 he spent his first two years working as an osteopath in Hadassa Hospital and has clinics in Jerusalem and Modiin.
Danny was the Chairperson of the Israeli Osteopathic Association 2006-2010.
Danny has taught osteopathy at the British School of Osteopathy, the College of Osteopaths. Currently, he serves as clinic supervisor and examiner at the Wingate College of Osteopathy.
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Danny completed a post-graduate training in Integrative Psychotherapy (Machon Magid) and Medical Clowning.
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Danny has worked as a consultant at Group Relations conferences (Tavistock Institute/OFEK) and is co-founder of the seminars "What is the patient really telling me?".
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Danny is the director of PALMM- The Program for Advanced Learning of Manual Medicine.